Is Laser Dentistry in Apex Right For You?

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Laser Dentistry in Apex, NC

Precision, Comfort, and Advanced Care

At Hansen Dentistry, we are proud to offer laser dentistry, a cutting-edge approach to a wide range of dental treatments. Laser technology allows for minimally invasive procedures that are more comfortable, precise, and efficient than traditional methods. Dr. Rylan Hansen, your trusted Apex dentist near you, uses advanced dental lasers to provide exceptional care while ensuring a positive patient experience.

What Is Laser Dentistry?

Laser dentistry uses focused beams of light to perform precise dental procedures, targeting specific areas without affecting surrounding tissues. This innovative technology is ideal for both hard tissue (teeth) and soft tissue (gums) treatments, offering improved outcomes and faster healing times.

Why Choose Hansen Dentistry for Laser Dentistry?

  • Minimally Invasive: Lasers reduce the need for traditional tools like drills and scalpels, minimizing discomfort and recovery time.
  • Enhanced Precision: Laser technology targets specific areas with exceptional accuracy, preserving healthy tissue.
  • Comprehensive Applications: From gum disease treatment to cosmetic procedures, lasers enhance the effectiveness of many dental services.
  • Patient Comfort: Known as one of the best dentists in Apex, Dr. Hansen ensures that every procedure is as gentle and stress-free as possible.

Applications of Laser Dentistry

Laser dentistry can be used for a variety of dental treatments, including:

  • Gum Disease Treatment: Remove infected tissue and promote healing without the need for invasive surgery.
  • Cavity Preparation: Precisely remove decay while preserving healthy tooth structure.
  • Teeth Whitening: Accelerate the whitening process for brighter smiles in less time.
  • Gum Contouring: Reshape uneven gum lines for a more aesthetically pleasing smile.
  • Frenectomy: Treat tongue-tie or lip-tie conditions with minimal discomfort.

Benefits of Laser Dentistry

  • Reduced Pain: Lasers are less invasive and often eliminate the need for anesthesia.
  • Faster Healing: Minimized tissue damage promotes quicker recovery times.
  • Lower Risk of Infection: Laser technology sterilizes the treatment area, reducing bacterial risk.
  • Improved Patient Experience: Many patients report less anxiety and a more comfortable procedure with lasers.

Schedule Your Laser Dentistry Appointment Today

Experience the benefits of advanced laser technology at Hansen Dentistry. Call us at (919) 363-8444 or submit a request form on our website to schedule an appointment. Discover why Dr. Rylan Hansen is recognized as the best dentist in Apex for innovative, patient-centered dental care.

Best Oral Surgery Dentist Office in Apex NC

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Oral Surgery in Apex, NC

Safe, Expert Surgical Care for Your Oral Health

When oral health issues require surgical intervention, you need a trusted expert to guide you through the process. At Hansen Dentistry, Dr. Rylan Hansen, your reliable Apex dentist near you, offers a range of oral surgery services in a comfortable and safe environment. From routine extractions to complex procedures, we’re here to restore your oral health with care and precision.

What Is Oral Surgery?

Oral surgery involves specialized dental procedures to address complex issues that go beyond general dental care. These treatments are often necessary to remove damaged teeth, prepare for restorative work, or treat oral conditions affecting your overall health.

Why Choose Hansen Dentistry for Oral Surgery?

  • Experienced Care: Dr. Hansen has extensive experience performing oral surgery with a focus on patient comfort and optimal outcomes.
  • Advanced Technology: We utilize state-of-the-art tools and techniques to ensure precision and efficiency.
  • Comfort-First Approach: Sedation options and a compassionate team help make your experience stress-free.
  • Comprehensive Support: From diagnosis to recovery, we guide you through every step of your treatment.

Common Oral Surgery Services

  • Tooth Extractions: Remove severely damaged or impacted teeth, including wisdom teeth.
  • Bone Grafting: Prepare your jaw for dental implants by strengthening and rebuilding bone tissue.
  • Frenectomy: Correct tongue-tie or lip-tie conditions for improved function.
  • Biopsies: Diagnose oral abnormalities with precision and care.

Benefits of Oral Surgery

  • Relief from Pain: Address discomfort caused by damaged or impacted teeth.
  • Improved Oral Function: Restore your ability to chew, speak, and smile with confidence.
  • Preparation for Restorative Work: Lay the foundation for treatments like dental implants.
  • Enhanced Overall Health: Treat conditions that may affect your general well-being.

Schedule Your Oral Surgery Consultation

Whether you need a routine extraction or a more complex procedure, Hansen Dentistry is here to help. Call (919) 363-8444 or submit a request form on our website to schedule a consultation. Trust Dr. Rylan Hansen, recognized as the best dentist in Apex, for safe, expert oral surgery services.

Apex NC Dentist Explains Post Surgery Care for Dental Implants

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Dental Implants Procedure & What You Need to Know

It is natural and normal to experience discomfort after getting a dental implant. You might experience minor swelling, bruising, pain, or bleeding at the site of the implant surgery. If any of these symptoms are extremely painful, or worsening over time, they may indicate larger issues that need to be addressed immediately. However, if they only occur for a day after treatment, the following tips can help you find relief.

Be Careful While Eating

About an hour after surgery, you may remove the gauze sponges that have been placed in your mouth and have something to eat. Be sure to eat foods that are soft for the first 24 hours after surgery. Avoid hot foods and drinks, and do not drink from a straw for at least 24 hours.

Minimize Swelling

Swelling often occurs as part of the natural healing process, especially after bone grafting procedures. You can help minimize the amount of swelling by applying an ice pack to your face over the area where surgery was done for the first 24 hours. If you had surgery on both sides, switch the ice pack from one side to the other every 30 minutes. Instead of using ice cubes or medical ice packs, many of our patients prefer bags of frozen corn or peas.

Take Antibiotics as Prescribed

Antibiotics are used to prevent infection on or around the dental implant or bone graft. It is important that you follow the dosage directions on the bottle and continue taking the medication until it’s finished. If you should develop a reaction to the medication, such as skin rash, stop taking the medication and call our office. Note that some antibiotics can interfere with birth control pills, so you should use other methods to prevent pregnancy during this time.

Continue to Brush and Floss

Although the surgery site may be painful, it is still important to practice proper oral hygiene after oral surgery. After 24 hours, you can resume tooth brushing. It may also help to gently rinse your mouth every so often with a mild salt water rinse (1/4 teaspoon of salt in a glass of water). DO NOT use mouth wash or hydrogen peroxide rinses for 14 days.

 Avoid Tobacco Products

Smoking of any kind after oral surgery interferes with the normal healing process and can increase your chances of developing an infection, as well as failure of the implant and or bone grafts. Smokers have a higher risk of implant failure, so avoid smoking until you have fully healed. 

Need a Dental Implant in Apex?

If you think you may be a candidate for dental implants, talk to one of our Apex oral surgeons today about dental implant surgery. Request an appointment here!

Understand Why Our Apex NC Cosmetic Dentist LOVES Dental Implants

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Cosmetic dentists prefer to use dental implants for their patients because of the benefits that these appliances can have. A dental implant is a small titanium rod that is put into the jaw bone, acting like a real tooth root. The titanium rod of dental implants actually bond with the jaw bone over the course of about three months. This ensures that the rod is completely secure and can hold a crown, or cap, on top of it once the procedure has been completed and healed.

The reason your dentist in Apex prefers dental implants is because they are a lot less invasive to your teeth than a bridge. A dental bridge uses surrounding teeth to anchor a crown on top of a missing tooth. Because of this, the surrounding teeth have to be filed down to fit the bridge. This is very invasive to teeth that might be in perfectly good condition. When your dentist in Apex uses a dental implant, they are simply adding the crown to the area that is missing the tooth. None of the surrounding teeth will be touched during the procedure and this can ultimately save you a lot of headache and money.

If you are missing a tooth and want to know what your options are for replacing it, be sure to visit cosmetic dentists to see about getting an implant put into your mouth. More and more people are opting for an implant because it is relatively noninvasive and does not destroy the structure of surrounding teeth like a dental bridge might. This is a wonderful option for anyone who is missing a few teeth and who does not want to compromise the rest of their teeth just to have a bridge put in. Be sure to speak with our Apex NC dentist to learn more about this procedure.

Apex Cosmetic Dentist Shares Expectations for Dental Implants Appointment

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Proven Dental Implant Process

Technological advances in treatments and tools used by cosmetic dentists in Apex, NC have improved both the process and the outcome of today’s dental procedures. The focus on minimizing discomfort has derived the tools and devices responsible for reducing the amount of time needed for far superior results. Many of the most complex procedures, such as dental implant surgery, have been reduced to a process so simplified even the recovery time puts past experiences into distant memory.

There is no need for apprehension with modern dental implants. Made from commercially pure titanium or titanium alloys designed to fuse naturally to bone, it all comes down to applying the science of engineering this kind of fit. This is where the ingenuity of improved procedures and materials has completely transformed dental implant surgery.

Modern Dental Implants in Apex NC

Modern dental implants rely on a precision fit for stability and to hasten healing. As with all invasive procedures, the more the body is allowed to maintain homeostasis, the body’s natural ability to maintain its internal stability, the less complications and pain are associated with the outcome. By preparing a precision surgical guide with the aid of X-rays and CT scanning, the osteotomy is performed to create the channel or hole that receives the threaded titanium post and abutment.

Creating this space to receive the post is a process of graduated drilling to perfect the size of the opening and allows the implant to “take” naturally. In addition, therapeutic treatment of water-cooling the tissue during drilling prevents trauma for more natural fusion. This is critical in preserving bone integrity where it is most needed to support dental implants. Depending on each individual case, the crown, bridge or dentures are fitted the same day or soon thereafter.

With this “site preparation” and pre-planning to line-up the existing bite, or occlusion, there is nothing left to chance. Applying this method of gentle tissue management, cosmetic dentists in Apex, NC are able to prescribe mild medication post surgery as the only relief necessary to manage pain and swelling. With this level of expert care, dental implant surgery has become a thankfully uneventful experience.

Seeking a Consultation with Our Cosmetic Dentist in Apex NC?

If you’re wanting to keep a big bright smile, come see Dr. Hansen and the rest of our team at Hansen Dentistry. Our cosmetic dentist in Apex can’t wait to improve your smile and your confidence! To schedule an appointment, click here.

Our Apex Dentist Shares Tips on Preparing for Oral Surgery

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At some point, most people will need to undergo standard oral surgery, like wisdom teeth removal. The more you know and prepare for the oral surgery, the less anxiety you will experience, and the better you will be able to recover. Below are some tips to follow when preparing for oral surgery in Apex NC.

Talk to Your Dentist

Your dentist will usually be happy to answer any questions you might have about the upcoming procedure. Common questions you might want to ask include:

  • How many teeth will you remove?
  • Will you use general or local anesthesia?
  • How long will the oral surgery take?
  • How long will my recovery take?

It also never hurts to research the procedure in advance. Researching will help you identify more questions you’d like to ask.

Make Arrangements for the Day of Surgery

Most oral surgeries occur when the patient is under general anesthesia. This means that you will not be able to work or drive during the day of the surgery. Make sure you have scheduled the day off (if applicable), arranged for childcare (if applicable), and have arranged for someone to drive you to and from the appointment. Note that you will likely be too uncomfortable to perform normal activities on the day after surgery, too.

Stock Up on Supplies

After your procedure, you will do well to have the house stocked with soft foods, NSAID pain medications, and cold packs. Your dentist will most likely give you gauze and cold packs to take home with you, but it always helps to have backups (and may help calm your nerves before surgery, too.) If your dentist plans to prescribe a pain reliever, ask him or her to let you fill the prescription a day early so you can avoid a trip to the pharmacy when you are still groggy. We also recommend having favorite movies and a comfortable recovery area set up and ready to go!

Avoid Eating Before Surgery  

General anesthesia can make patients experience nausea and vomiting, so your dentist may recommend that you stop eating at midnight on the night before the procedure, and skip breakfast and/or lunch the next morning. Ask your dentist or oral surgeon if you need to avoid eating or drinking before the surgery.

Need Oral Surgery or Wisdom Teeth Removal in Apex?

If you need wisdom teeth removal, dental implants, or another restorative dentistry service in Apex, we can help. Our skilled dentists and dental hygienists will make sure your experience is as relaxing and comfortable as possible. If you would like to schedule an appointment with our Apex dentist office, please contact us here!

When To Seek Help from an Apex Emergency Dentist

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Though inconvenient, a dental emergency is not something you want to ignore. However, you should know the difference between a true dental emergency and a situation that can wait at least for the night. Dr. Rylan Hansen and his team at Hansen Dentistry in Apex, NC are here to provide expert emergency dental care should you ever be in need of immediate treatment. Contact us at (919) 363-8444 to schedule an appointment.

What Constitutes a Dental Emergency?

Often, a tooth will break, chip or crack because you bit something hard, such as ice cubes, an apple or hard candy. Opening chip bags, plastic containers or “easy open” pill bottles with your teeth can sometimes result in the same thing. Some dental emergencies are the result of a traumatic injury or accident. Children can fall on the playground or get hurt at practice or you could be involved in a car accident. If the injury is just a chip or minor fracture, you could decide to wait and seek attention when the dental office opens. However, a severe injury is a different story.

Examples of dental emergencies:

  • Severe crack or fracture
  • A large piece of a tooth is missing
  • A tooth has been knocked out completely
  • A nerve has been exposed

What to do in a Dental Emergency

Here are some things you can do if you (or your child) sustain a tooth injury.

Cracked tooth – See the dentist as soon as possible, especially if there is any pain. Even if the tooth looks “okay” you should still be cautious. If the tooth hurts when you drink something hot or cold come in right away, as it could be a sign of nerve damage within the tooth. Another sign of a crack is if the tooth hurts after you release your bite.

Broken tooth – There is usually no mistaking a broken tooth. If there is a large fracture, chip or part of the tooth is missing see the dentist ASAP as there could be nerve damage.

Before you go to the dentist:

  • Rinse your mouth with warm water.
  • If there is bleeding, apply pressure with a small piece of gauze.
  • If the bleeding won’t stop, try using a wet tea bag.
  • Put a cold pack or ice on your lips or cheeks over the area of the broken tooth to reduce swelling.
  • If you absolutely can’t get to the dentist right away, cover the tooth with temporary dental cement from a drugstore.

Tooth is knocked out completely – First, try to put the tooth back in the socket. If it will not go back in, clean off the tooth as best you can and store it in a sealed container with milk or your saliva. Apply a cold compress if there is any bleeding.

What to do for Tooth Pain

If you develop sudden – or suddenly increased – tooth pain, see the dentist as soon as you can. It could be a sign of tooth decay or damage to the nerve. You can probably wait until normal hours to go in, although it might feel like an emergency if the pain is severe or it hurts when you try to eat or drink.

Emergency Dental Care at Hansen Dentistry

Tooth pain can interfere with your ability to eat, drink, work, sleep and even think. A cracked, broken or missing tooth constitutes a real emergency that requires care as soon as possible. Dr. Rylan Hansen and his team at Hansen Dentistry in Apex, NC are here to help, with extended hours, same day emergency appointments, and Saturday appointments. Even if you are not in pain from a cracked or lost tooth, it is still important to come in as soon as possible. The first several hours can mean the difference in saving your tooth. If you ever need emergency dental care, contact us at (919) 363-8444 to schedule an appointment. 

Same Day Crowns in Apex: Long-Lasting Results Without the Wait!

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Same Day CrownsDental crowns offer natural-looking restoration results for teeth that have been damaged from trauma or infection. Until recently, receiving a custom-made, permanent crown could take weeks; now, Dr. Hansen offers same day crowns in Apex, NC, thanks to advanced dental technology called CEREC. Learn more about this innovative approach to dental crowns below.

If you’re ready for dental crown treatment without the wait, contact us at (919) 363-8444. Dr. Hansen can provide a consultation to see if same day crowns will help improve the health and vitality of your smile.

What is CEREC?

CEREC stands for “Chairside Economical Restoration of Esthetic Ceramics.” It’s a long term, but conveys a simple idea: CEREC allows Dr. Hansen to create and place a custom-made dental crown in one day. Previously, custom dental crown fabrication meant sending impressions off to a dental lab for a dental ceramicist to create the restoration. However, our practice’s state-of-the-art machinery uses 3D images obtained from your mouth to create a replica of your natural tooth. Dr. Hansen can make any small adjustments once the crown is placed to ensure that your bite is comfortable.

What are the benefits?

CEREC has so many benefits; for our busy patients, less time at the dentist’s office is the best advantage. However, CEREC also:

  • Allows for same-day restoration of your smile: A healthy, restored smile now doesn’t have to mean long treatment times. Whether Dr. Hansen is protecting a vulnerable cracked or chipped tooth, or is finishing a root canal procedure, you can have your final, permanent smile completed in just one day.
  • Uses the same, high-quality materials: CEREC crowns are made from the same materials as those of many traditional dental crowns. CEREC just allows Dr. Hansen to bring the technology of dental labs into his Apex, NC practice to save you time.
  • Provides a comfortable design process: Uncomfortable dental impressions are unnecessary for fabricating a CEREC crown. Dr. Hansen utilizes a 3D imaging device to provide accurate measurements.
  • Eliminates the need for temporary crowns: Since there is no waiting period while the permanent crown is fabricated in a dental lab, patients don’t have to spend 2 to 3 weeks wearing a temporary crown. Temporary crowns are usually made from composite resin and are not only less durable than a permanent crown, but are less protective, too. With CEREC, your tooth is better protected through a permanent crown than it would be with a temporary one.

Are the results really permanent?

Fast results don’t have to mean low-quality. Dr. Hansen and our team know that you have a busy schedule, so we offer time-saving solutions for dental services. However, we never skimp on the quality and safety of the procedures. CEREC crowns are fabricated from the same safe and effective materials used at more traditional dental labs. You can also expect CEREC crowns to last the same length of time as a traditional crown.

How can I receive a CEREC crown?

Scheduling a consultation with Dr. Hansen is the best way to figure out whether a CEREC crown will work for you! Dr. Hansen can go over additional treatment options, and discuss your expectations to make sure you are fully satisfied with the results. Contact our Apex, NC practice at (919) 363-8444.

Tooth-Colored Fillings vs. Silver Fillings: Which Should I Choose? Ask an Apex Dentist

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So you have a tooth that has a cavity and needs a filling. Now what?

Most people know that the two most common options are tooth colored fillings (called composite fillings) and silver fillings (called amalgam fillings).  And most people would agree that the composite fillings are much more aesthetically pleasing than the amalgam fillings.  Some patients prefer not to have amalgam fillings because they contain mercery.  However, it is important to note that ongoing scientific studies conducted over the past 100 years continue to show that amalgam fillings are not harmful.  Sometimes the aesthetic outcome is reason enough to choose a tooth colored filling, especially when the tooth is one that is visible when the patient smiles.

But there are other important reasons that most Apex Dentists these days are choosing to use tooth colored composite fillings rather than amalgam.  And these reasons have to do with the major difference in the way they are placed in the mouth.

Composite fillings are resin-based and are chemically bonded to the tooth.  Amalgams are not.  They are held in place due to a physical retention.  This means that after the dentist removes the decay, he also has to remove additional healthy tooth structure in order to create the proper undercuts and retention grooves to hold the amalgam in place.  This process leaves less remaining tooth structure.

The good thing is that amalgams usually lasts for a really long time.  The bad news is that when they do wear out, they tend to cause larger problems because there is less tooth structure remaining to work with. That is why it is common for a very large amalgam to be replaced with a crown.

If a tooth has a composite filling, the dentist is able to be very conservative in how much tooth structure

he/she removes other than the decay.  This could mean that years later when the composite filling eventually wears out, hopefully another larger composite filling can be placed, rather than a crown.

Another common issue is that teeth with old amalgams tend to develop more cracks.  Because the amalgam filling is not bonded to the tooth, the enamel surrounding the filling is unsupported.  Over time, that unsupported tooth structure microscopically flexes when stress is placed on the tooth.  Years of this flexing can cause cracks to form. These cracks can lead to more extensive (and expensive) treatment, such as a crown,  a root canal, or even loss of the tooth depending on the severity of the fracture.

Whether you have composite or amalgam fillings it is important to maintain your regular cleaning and check-up appointments with your Apex dentist. He/she can keep you informed about the condition of your fillings. That way when one does wear out (and they will, because unfortunately no dental work lasts forever), you can be pro-active, which typically leads to a less expensive and more conservative outcome.

Apex Oral Surgeon Explains Why You Shouldn’t Ignore Cracked Teeth

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Have you ever had dental pain or discomfort when biting into food or after eating/drinking something that is hot or cold?  This pain or discomfort might not be constant like it is with a cavity, but intermittent.  If so, it is possible you may have a cracked tooth.

There are several reasons that patients develop cracked teeth.  Some situations that can result in fractured teeth are:

  • teeth with large fillings

  • teeth with root canals

  • clenching or grinding teeth

  • chewing ice or other hard foods

  • trauma to the tooth from an accident

  • too much pressure on one tooth as a result of the patient’s occlusion (the way the teeth come together in the mouth)

If the crack in the tooth does not extend further than the enamel, your dentist may not recommend any treatment.   These cracks, known as craze lines, are common in adult teeth.  Think of a teacup with a crack in it but that is still able to hold water without it leaking.

However, if the fracture extends beyond the enamel, it is very important to have the tooth treated. In this situation we have a leaky teacup! It can be difficult for patients to distinguish between the different types of cracks, so it is important to visit your Apex dentist so the fracture can be properly evaluated.  Try to pay attention to exactly where the pain is coming from so that you can tell your dentist.

Molar are more vulnerable to cracks because they absorb most of the impact when chewing food.  Front teeth are more commonly fractured due to trauma.

Your Apex dentist will determine a treatment plan based on the severity of the fracture. Treatment typically includes placing a dental crown on the cracked tooth.  If the fracture effects the pulp chamber a root canal may also be necessary.  If the tooth is split beyond repair, an extraction is likely necessary.  In this situation tooth replacement is possible with implants or bridges.

Postponing treatment can lead to more serious complications such as an infection or a deeper fracture.  That is why it is important not to ignore warning signs or dental pain and sensitivity.  By seeking treatment early, there is a typically better prognosis for the tooth. which also usually results in a lower financial cost of treatment.